Soul Shop Suicide Prevention Trainings

Greetings Ministry and Community Colleagues,

I am writing to share with you once again about Soul Shop, which Buchanan Christian Church is privileged to bring to Buchanan in January 2023. Soul Shop is faith based suicide prevention. I have participated in several Soul Shop trainings over the last few years, and they have all been excellent.

Suicide is a grim reality which none of us want to think about, but it is also a reality we need to be equipped to respond to in our congregations and communities. I am passionate about training in this area because I lost my brother to suicide in December 2015.

According to statistics from the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention (Suicide statistics | AFSP), suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States. Significantly, it is the 3rd leading cause of death for people aged 10-19, the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 20-34, and the 4th leading cause of death for people aged 35-44. Further, 10 % of American adults have thought about suicide, 1.2 million Americans attempted suicide in 2020, and 54% of Americans have been affected by suicide in some way. These statistics mean that you have people in your congregations and organizations who have been impacted by suicide in one way or another. This is why the training Soul Shop provides is so important.

Buchanan Christian Church will host:

• Soul Shop for Communities on Monday January 23 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. This event is free and is designed to “to begin working in the larger community beyond the church to create a network of support for those who are impacted by suicide.” You can register for Soul Shop for Communities by following this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soul-shop-for-communties-tickets-388344618207.
• Soul Shop for Leaders on Tuesday January 24 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This seminar is “designed to equip faith community leaders to minister to those impacted by suicide.” The cost is $35.00, which covers lunch, refreshments, and materials. You can register for Soul Shop for Leaders by following this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soul-shop-for-leaders-tickets-388359803627. Continuing Education Credits are available for attending Soul Shop for Leaders!

Thank you! – Nate Babcock, Buchanan Christian Church Pastor

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• Who: Buchanan Christian Church
• What: Soul Shop Suicide Prevention Trainings
• When:
  • Soul Shop for Communities – Monday, January 23, 2023 from 6-7:30pm
  • Soul Shop for Leaders – Tuesday, January 24, 2023 from 8am-4:30pm
• Where: Buchanan Christian Church
  • 112 W Third St, Buchanan MI 49107

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